It was just two years ago that BMW’s Motorsport division went to town on the compact X3 crossover. The result was the X3 M, set to do battle against other high-performance compact luxury crossovers like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, Jaguar F-PACE SVR, Mercedes-AMG GLC 63, and Porsche Macan Turbo. While it’s still fairly new, the X3 M does get a few updates for the 2022 model year.

Every X3 M is graced by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine. In base form, it makes 473 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. The Competition Package bumps that up to 503 hp and 479 lb-ft and adds a sport exhaust system. Both versions are backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and an M version of BMW’s famous xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) system. That AWD system is capable of sending up to 100% of the available torque to the rear axle, if needed.

With every option ticked and when using the standard launch control system, the X3 M can hit 60 miles per hour in an absurd 4 seconds, according to BMW, formerly the territory of supercars costing three times as much. BMW also included adaptive dampers to make sure the ride isn’t harsh during sedate driving.

Standard equipment on the X3 M includes 20-inch wheels, LED lighting, M quad tailpipes, an M rear spoiler, an aerodynamic kit, a leatherette dashboard, leather-upholstered seats, a carbon-fiber interior trim, a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, a Harman Kardon surround sound system with 600 watts and 16 speakers, satellite radio, a 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, power front seats, keyless access and start, a power liftgate and three-zone climate control. Options include M Sport seats, premium leather, 21-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, extended carbon-fiber trim, and an M Driver’s Package.

To keep everyone safe, BMW equips the X3 M with such standard equipment as a rearview camera, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, front and rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning, and rain-sensing automatic wipers. Other features, which include full-speed adaptive cruise control and extended-collision mitigation, are bundled in the Driving Assistance Plus Package. Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluated the X3 family, giving it scored good ratings for crashworthiness and crash prevention.

BMW’s decades of motorsport history are evident when you sit behind the wheel of the X3 M.